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The Helsinki-Espoo subway is finally opening next week

The Helsinki-Espoo-Vantaa region is among the fastest-growing conurbations in Europe, but has been relatively under-served in terms of rail connections.

HSL / Facebook

The news many Finns have been waiting for is here.

After repeated delays, the Western Metro Extension will open for business on Saturday 18th of November, the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) informed this morning.

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The Western Metro Extension, or Länsimetro, is an extension of the Helsinki Metro system to the neighbouring city of Espoo. The new connection will nearly double the size of the capital region’s subway network, and connect Finland's two economically most dynamic regions.

Espoo houses many of Finland’s biggest companies, including Nokia, elevator company Kone and energy giant Neste Oil, in addition to the technical and engineering branch of Aalto University.

“It’s very important to get the metro to serve the region’s citizens and growth,” said Jukka Mäkelä, the Mayor of Espoo, to Helsingin Sanomat (HS).

The Western Extension will run all the way through Espoo.

The original Helsinki subway has 17 stations, and with Länsimetro, the total will grow to 30; extending as far as Kivenlahti, some 15 kilometers west of the previous end point of Ruoholahti.

Construction of Länsimtero began in 2009, and the original opening date was planned for August 2016. Repeated delays and the lack of consistent communication from the Länsimetro project caused ire among commuters and businesses, who depended on the new connection.

The disappointment was duly expressed in a viral, mock Facebook invite to the “Opening of the Western Metro Extension” — set for April Fools 2019. Thousands of people said they were “attending”.

The Western Metro will operate on two lines: Matinkylä-Vuosaari and Tapiola-Mellunmäki. The very first train on the new line will leave from Matinkylä to Vuosaari at 5.09am local time on Saturday November 18.

What's more, all the delays may have served a larger purpose: “When finished, this metro will be among the safest in the world,” said Olli Isotalo, the Chairman of the board at Länsimetro Oy, to HS.